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These pictures may look like serious tail-gaters, people waiting for the latest gaming console or indie rock fans desperate for Sujan Stevens tickets, but, alas, no - these are actually taken from the parking lot of PS 236 in Mill Basin. Why? Parents are very eager to sign up their children for coveted pre-kindergarten places.
Inside Schools describes PS 236 thusly:
PS 236 is a well-run, well-equipped school in a neighborhood with lots of stay-at-home mothers and one- and two-family homes with manicured lawns. Fifth graders lead The Pledge of Allegiance and sing The Star Spangled Banner over the public address system each morning. Classes are tracked, with children placed in groups according to their abilities. Homework is heavy. "They start homework at 4 in the afternoon and don't finish until after dinner," one parent said. "This breeds discipline and will pay off down the road." Even kindergarteners have homework assignments, such as filling out a phonics worksheet from a workbook. The school has an inviting library with classical music playing, plants, dioramas made by the kids, and big windows that overlook a playground. Students in all grades perform and stage musical plays.We spoke to a public school teacher who explained why pre-k seats are so hard to come by: Her school has 10 first grade classes, 8 kindergarten classes, and two pre-k. Additionally, kids who have siblings already at the school get preference.
Here's information about applying to pre-kindergarten from Inside Schools. And here's the Department of Education's information on applying to pre-k.
And the Post reveals that the first parent on line was Amy Giagrande, who "logged in parents so they'd be free to move around during the night." And apparently the parents had a cook-out and "watched movies on a bus equipped with TV screens that was donated by a former student."
Photographs by Stern Rockwell
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you've GOT to be kidding me. hahaha
So what's the lesson in all this? Don't have children...
Hmmm... so what's the lesson in camping out for concert tickets or console systems? Kill yourself?
wow, these people have obviously never read Freakonomics. it simply doesn't matter statistically where your child goes to school.
Yeah, but if they get their kids into Pre-K, they don't have to pay for daycare - that's the main reason for the line.
thats right have 10 hours of homework a night.
This scares me. I don't know if I'll be that good a parent.
wow crazy, which school kids goto doesn't really matter, its how the kids use those schools.
if they kid is dumb as nails well, they'll end up stupid and failing no matter what in life.
pledge of allegiance? star spangled banner??
Yay for Rolf, I'm w/you. That's the lesson.
If those parents really loved their kids, they'd pony up a few million $$ for the 92nd St. Y coffers.
You will be a good mom, jen.
your natural instincts will kick in and you'll do anything for your children. all you need is to get the first one in, then his/her siblings won't have to worry bout getting in.
and, I expect you to go to thier musical plays cause they are the most fun you'll ever have.
Hey, that's my old school!!! I went to PS 236 in Mill Basin up to 2nd grade. And look at me now, spending time at work writing dumb crap on Gothamist.
White People always predictable...
Okay folks, re-read smitty's comment: would you camp out overnight in exchange for a few thousand bucks of savings over the following year?
Anya - if you find daycare for a few thousand bucks over the course of a year that doesn't involve your child sleeping in a drawer, please let me know. I've priced daycare and found nothing costing a few thousand a year.
That said, I'd also not camp out to get my child into school. This is why I, clearly, can't stay in the city.
Samantha T...if you wouldn't spend a night in a tent to get your kid into a school, i think you have larger issues than staying in the city.
Whoa, That's crazy !